Stefan GP progress

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 18 Dec 2009, 15:32

They are to take the Toyota approach and test for a year if they are not allowed to play with the other teams next year and hope for a 2011 contract.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80619

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 18 Dec 2009, 16:46

The FIA need to pay more attention to the Central/Eastern Europe region - there's clearly the potential to make quite a bit of money from the region. Of course, there's Kubica and the Hungarian GP, and now Stefan F1. There's also the potential for Russian and Czech Grands Prix, as well as a few drivers from the region in lower series, such as Vitaly Petrov, Marko Asmer, Kazim Vasiliauskas, and Milos Pavlovic, all of which have at least a somewhat realistic chance of getting into F1. That would cover Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Russia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Lithuania, which have a combined total population of over 200 million people, people who would have not only a couple of Grands Prix, but a number of drivers and a team to cheer for. I believe this would make F1 in Central and Eastern Europe more profitable than, say, the Middle East, where race attendances numbered a total of 179,000 across all three races (more than half of which was accounted for by Bahrain), compared with Hungary's one race total of 106,000 in 2008 (I can't find any figures for 2009).

That aside, I think this news is fantastic - if Zoran Stefanovic can keep everyone interested, he will stand a good chance at getting on the grid for 2011 at the least.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 18 Dec 2009, 22:35

Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1 :ugeek:

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 19 Dec 2009, 00:12

Phoenix wrote:Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 19 Dec 2009, 00:25

thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1

Damnit you pissed off the mod. LEG IT! :lol:

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 19 Dec 2009, 01:47

Wizzie wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1

Damnit you pissed off the mod. LEG IT!

You better run, Wizzie. Fast, too.

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 19 Dec 2009, 03:52

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:(entire post)

Nailed it.

I'd also toss in F2 driver Mikhail Aleshin (Russia, semi-consistant) and IFM regular Vladimir Arabadzhiev (Bulgaria, very inconsistant), both of whom have driven GP2 Dallaras. I'd love to see the Latvian second generation racer Karline Štala get a chance to drive an F1 or GP2; she didn't race at all in 2009 unfortunately. She is the only woman to have won a single-seater championship, the 2007 Belgian Formula Renault 1600 series with 2 wins and 10 podiums in 12 races.

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 19 Dec 2009, 05:51

I have to say, after their joke of a beginning, Stefan GP seems to be progressively more legit in my eyes. I just hope Zoran takes the advice of a certain Hammer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdk1gwWH-Cg

baddriving50 · Post by **baddriving50** » 19 Dec 2009, 05:56

RejectSteve wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:(entire post)

Nailed it.

I'd also toss in F2 driver Mikhail Aleshin (Russia, semi-consistant) and IFM regular Vladimir Arabadzhiev (Bulgaria, very inconsistant), both of whom have driven GP2 Dallaras. I'd love to see the Latvian second generation racer Karline Štala get a chance to drive an F1 or GP2; she didn't race at all in 2009 unfortunately. She is the only woman to have won a single-seater championship, the 2007 Belgian Formula Renault 1600 series with 2 wins and 10 podiums in 12 races.

Don't forget Alessandro Kouzkin, if only for his connection to this site :twisted:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Vita_Kouzkin

danardif1 · Post by **danardif1** » 19 Dec 2009, 11:25

You've got to admire Zoran's confidence, it inspires infinitely more than the babblings of Pete Windsor...

I'd love to see Plamen Kralev plugging round Donington testing a Stefan GP SGP001... Reject Heaven... I'd die if HWNSNBM got a seat...

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » 19 Dec 2009, 13:05

Not sure if its confidence or sheer madness, but whatever it is I like it. I can imagine Stefan F1 being the real life version of those USF1 parody videos on youtube, reject heaven if they reach F1.

watka · Post by **watka** » 19 Dec 2009, 14:16

I seriously can't see how they'd do any worse than Super Aguri. I think they would struggle early on but they'd win a lot of fans, so they have marketing potential.

danardif1 · Post by **danardif1** » 19 Dec 2009, 14:23

I think they seem like real racing fans, who just want a chance to show that their region of the world is into motorsport too, and can compete technologically with Western European teams... The irony in that is the Toyota connection and being initially based in Koln, but we'll put that aside for now

If they do go out testing next year, good on them... they're doing a good job of getting a fairly professional team going, rather than all the smoke and mirrors USF1 have erected around themselves, save for a few pieces for SpeedTV...

Whether they're rejectful or not, I'd love to see them on the grid, if not this year, 2011...

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 19 Dec 2009, 22:17

danardif1 wrote:The irony in that is the Toyota connection and being initially based in Koln, but we'll put that aside for now

If they do go out testing next year, good on them... they're doing a good job of getting a fairly professional team going

A year of testing before competition, racing out of Cologne.... sounds like.... Toyota, indeed! As they would not be an "official" F1 team, they can jolly well test and wind tunnel the car as much as they please - as long as the budget holds out - which is a wonderful way around rules that would not apply to them yet. That would also give us a few young charges getting in their car, whetting our appetites for rejectful performances :twisted:

The Toyota connection is giving a bit of legitimacy to the StefanGP operation, hopefully Zoran's dream of an F1 team comes true; he already tried to join in 1998.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 20 Dec 2009, 04:54

They really are mad as cheese this lot, aren't they?

rffp · Post by **rffp** » 22 Dec 2009, 14:30

I have just read that in a interview to The Times, Bernie predicted that two new teams will not make it to Bahrein, and the speculated ones are Campos and USF1. But Bernie believes in a grid with 24 cars, hence he does believe that Stefan GP will be there! :shock:

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 22 Dec 2009, 15:37

rffp wrote:I have just read that in a interview to The Times, Bernie predicted that two new teams will not make it to Bahrein, and the speculated ones are Campos and USF1. But Bernie believes in a grid with 24 cars, hence he does believe that Stefan GP will be there!

So, he'll contract goons to wreck Campos and USF1 assets...Seriously, Campos looks quite solid and it'll make it. About USF1, well, I suppose they'll too.

thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1

Please don't ban me! My ambition was to breach the 1000 posts mark! :cry:

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 22 Dec 2009, 15:55

thehemogoblin wrote:
Phoenix wrote:Stefan GP will go in in 2011 after the demise of USF1

Why be infuriated, I'm sure Lopez will bring results that will have the sponsors chasing after USF1.

NOT!

P_Friesacher · Post by **P_Friesacher** » 22 Dec 2009, 16:04

Oh come on, people Lopez managed to win two Argentine Touring Car series this year, and finished second in a third one. Surely he can't be *that* bad...
On the other hand: Perhaps he can. We'll see.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 22 Dec 2009, 16:47

Think of it this way, if Lopez epic sucks (and I mean, if you got dumped in favor of NELSON PIQUET JUNIOR....), then we'll look on him a lot more fondly.

Meaning: I want to see his fail driving in F1 -- now -- and for quite a long time! Perhaps USF1 will use the Scott Speed method of attracting sponsors -- crash more so your cars get more attention. (I recall Speed spinning in Q1 for one race and saying: "When you're at the back of the grid you have to find new ways of attracting sponsors -- I guess I did that today.")

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 22 Dec 2009, 17:26

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80646

Stefan GP looks to be on the verge of buying all of TMG's technical assets.

Post by **mario** » 22 Dec 2009, 18:41

So far I'd dismissed this as the idea of an idealist hoping to get into Formula 1, but it does appear that Stefan is determined to make this happen. It seems that Bernie might be hedging his bets in case one of the new teams does collapse before the season starts - but, thinking about it, there is one thing that I would like to ask: has the Toyota chassis been crash tested by the FIA yet?

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 22 Dec 2009, 19:57

If Stefan GP makes it to F1, I posit that we are honor bound to support them. I mean this is a team that seems driven to be in F1 because it's F1. Not because of sponsors, marketing opportunities, or the ability to make money. And if they make it, it'll be in the face of a lot of adversity including being told by the FIA to go away because there wasn't space for them. In addition, they've even given gainful employment to some ex-Toyota employees that would be out of a job. (By the way, can Toyota be considered a Reject team?) Add to that the somewhat dodgy Eastern European background of the team owner and how can we NOT support Stefan GP? It seems to be everything we stand for.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 22 Dec 2009, 20:01

Of course, let's not forget my e-mail encounter...

Dear Edward,

thank you very much for your support, we suddenly do need all available
support we can get.
It is good from you having such serious interest into racing.
Our team is based in Belgrade, in Serbia, so there is no chance at the
moment to have many persons outside of Serbia, except very specialized
engineers and with previous F1 experience.

Maybe we can suggest to you which is best way to do it for you.
Any team will be looking always for educated engineers and you can do
your best to have sound formal education in school regarding engineering.
Second thing is, when you nearly at the end of your school period, just
ask some of teams to have some practice for you in motorsport. And you
will be qualified and experienced after that to apply for your real job.

We at Stefan Grand Prix will be very happy for you to do such good and
serious step.

We will inform you, as all our friends, upon further developments of our
business regarding our motorsport activity.

Very kind regards,

SGP
Zoran Stefanovic

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 22 Dec 2009, 20:13

In terms of the other teams, it seems believeable that some may not make the grid. Its obvious just by looking at something as trivial as the team websites.
At the top of the tree we have Virgin Racing, with a very fancy one at that...I suppose it shows if they have the time to make something up like that then everything else is going well enough.
Next is Lotus with a fully functional team website. 3rd is Campos with a few scant details, press releases and images, and finally USF1 comes last with a holding page.
Just another shred of information that gives these rumours credibility.

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 22 Dec 2009, 21:23

shinji wrote:Of course, let's not forget my e-mail encounter...

That letter, written PERSONALLY by the one, the only, Zoran Stefanovic, is so heartwarming and moving that I almost instantly became a fan of Stefan GP, and I now almost want them to make it into F1, and if they will I will certainly support them.

watka · Post by **watka** » 22 Dec 2009, 21:54

Waris wrote:
shinji wrote:Of course, let's not forget my e-mail encounter...

That letter, written PERSONALLY by the one, the only, Zoran Stefanovic, is so heartwarming and moving that I almost instantly became a fan of Stefan GP, and I now almost want them to make it into F1, and if they will I will certainly support them.

Yep, I'd imagine Peter Windsor would just tell you to bathplug off.

P_Friesacher wrote:Oh come on, people Lopez managed to win two Argentine Touring Car series this year, and finished second in a third one. Surely he can't be *that* bad...
On the other hand: Perhaps he can. We'll see.

Think of it this way, imagine how Rickard Rydell would have got on in F1.

Mister Fungus · Post by **Mister Fungus** » 22 Dec 2009, 22:12

I personally rate Campos chances to appear on the grid, even less than those of USF1. I mean there have been more than enough rumours about Campos trying to sell his team (even to Stefanovi? himself), and I have the impression through interviews and statements that that team is having a lot of trouble with financing.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 22 Dec 2009, 23:39

Mister Fungus wrote:I mean there have been more than enough rumours about Campos trying to sell his team (even to Stefanovi? himself)

I haven't heard one.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 23 Dec 2009, 00:11

On the point about Eastern Europe being a growing market for F1, don't forget that Bulgaria want a GP as well.

Infiltration into Eastern Europe is exactly what HWNSNBM's masterplan has been all along ...

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 23 Dec 2009, 03:21

eytl wrote:On the point about Eastern Europe being a growing market for F1, don't forget that Bulgaria want a GP as well.

They've actually given up on it. The government in Sofia gave them some land near the Black Sea resorts, the the organisers had been banking on land and ifnancial suppot. Without the money, the concept was dead in the water, and so they abandoned it.

TeamTipper · Post by **TeamTipper** » 23 Dec 2009, 08:56

It would be good to see Stefan F1 on the grid. And their driver will be HWNSNBM as eastern european drivers are rare (well their not but they dont have talent).

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 23 Dec 2009, 17:08

I was going to write "Who died and made StefanGP a promising outfit all of a sudden?". But this is F1, and I may not like the answer. Wish them well...

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 23 Dec 2009, 18:29

Something I drew up in a spare 15 minutes I had. Could this be anything close to the real thing?

LionZoo · Post by **LionZoo** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:15

Zoran Stefanovic has a first name that begins with the letter Z. His name also has the same amount of syllables as HWNSNBM. Coincidence? I think not!

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:24

kostas22 wrote:Something I drew up in a spare 15 minutes I had. Could this be anything close to the real thing?

If they keep the Toyota signage...

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:28

kostas22 wrote:Something I drew up in a spare 15 minutes I had. Could this be anything close to the real thing?

It needs more insanity.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was pink and orange with a dash of some colour that doesn't exist yet.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:28

kostas22 wrote:Something I drew up in a spare 15 minutes I had. Could this be anything close to the real thing?

Is this the official announcement that Zoran will be buying the intellectual copyright to the Brawn chassis and entering it? (It is the Brawn isn't it...?)
Edit: Just realised it is not - it has 2008 flick-ups.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:57

dr-baker wrote:
kostas22 wrote:Something I drew up in a spare 15 minutes I had. Could this be anything close to the real thing?

Is this the official announcement that Zoran will be buying the intellectual copyright to the Brawn chassis and entering it? (It is the Brawn isn't it...?)
Edit: Just realised it is not - it has 2008 flick-ups.

Couldn't get my hands on an editable copy of the TF109

RejectSteve · Post by **RejectSteve** » 24 Dec 2009, 07:14

kostas22 wrote:Couldn't get my hands on an editable copy of the TF109

BMW F1.08, isn't it? Cool to see the coat of arms thrown onto the barge boards. Wouldn't Denso and Lukoil be a conflict of interests though?